Toy vehicle

ABSTRACT

An electric motor, switching system and gear train for driving the wheels of a toy vehicle to propel same and sequentially raising and lowering a working mechanism such as a crane, mixer or dumper while movement of the vehicle is stopped.

11 3,73,057 June 12, 1973 nitefl States Patent [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 TOY VEHICLE Inventor: Toyotsugu Ogasawara, Tokyo, Japan 2,846,813 8/1958 Giardina........................... 46/244 A [73] Assignee:

Tomy Kogyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan Nov. 17, 1971 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 970,427 9/1964 Great Britain............. 46/243 LV [22] Filed: [2 1' g .m t mh b a FG t r & by J m rH 8 1 .ma ma at IS E mm r mm t AA 7 3 0 2 6 4 [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 20, 1971 r m .m a r t r a e g d n a m m CY. AS g n Ti h w AM S 0 t 0 m C .1 r t c e 1 1 .6 n A 009 33 00 22 66 44 n n 33 PP and JIJ ll 77 99 11 0 0 22 n n 33 .JJ

[52] Us 46/243 46/40 46/214 driving the wheels of a toy vehicle to propel same and [5 1] Int 5 33/26 sequentially raising and lowering a working mechanism 8 F i 243 MV such as a crane, mixer or dumper while movement of I 46/244 A the vehicle is stopped.

8 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures TOY VEHICLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the class of toys wherein a vehicle is provided with means for propelling same and performing some auxiliary function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The toy vehicle of the present invention features a miniature electric motor, switching system and gear train for driving the wheels of the vehicle to propel same and sequentially raising and lowering a working mechanism at which time the vehicle is stationary. Selected gears within the train drive the separate systems for propelling the vehicle and raising and lowering the working mechanism, which, may be, for example, a crane, mixer or dumper, through the action of a floating gear wheel. In this manner, the construction of the gear train is simplified while insuring reliability in operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a toy crane truck embodying the present invention; v

FIG. 2a is a side elevational view illustrating a toy dump truck featuring the present invention;

FIG. 2b is a partial side elevational view illustrating the dumping mechanism of the truck of FIG. 2a in raised position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view illustrating a mixer truck embodying the present invention wherein movement of the mixing mechanism to raised position is illustrated in dotted lines;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the switching mechanism permitting the shaft of the motor of the toy vehicle invention to operate in either direction;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view partly in section illustrating the relationship of the three buttons of the switching mechanism and the rotating electrical contact members for propelling the vehicle, operating the working mechanism and stopping the vehicle, respectively.

FIG. 6a is a partial perspective view illustrating the motor and gear train assembly operating to raise the crane which assembly is applicable to raise and lower similar structure such as dumping or mixing mechanisms;

FIG. 6b is a partial perspective view illustrating further components of the gear train assembly of FIG. 6a and in particular the floating gear;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6a illustrating the rotating rack and cam mechanism for sequentially raising and lowering the crane or other working mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the gear train assembly with the position of the'floating gear reversed operating to turn the rear wheels of the vehicle for propelling same;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 illustrating the motor and gear train when driving the rear wheels of the vehicle; I

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the system for securing the crane to the chassis of the vehicle and in particular the latching assembly permitting the crane or other working mechanism to be raised or lowered by hand independently of the motor and gear train;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

The present invention is directed towards a motor and gear train assembly for driving the wheels of 'a toy vehicle to propel same and also operating a working part of the vehicle, for example, a crane, dumping or mixing mechanism. In FIGS. 1-3 reference numeral 10 designates the toy vehicle while the reference numeral 12 in FIG. 1 designates a crane mechanism, the reference numeral 14 in FIG. 2 designates a dumping mechanism and the reference numeral 16 in FIG. 3 designates a mixing mechanism.

The vehicle 10 is provided with a chassis 18 within which the motor and gear train are located. The operation of the motor will now be described with regard to FIG. 4 wherein the reference numeral 20 schematically designates the motor and the reference numeral 22 schematically designates the power source which consists of batteries. Such battery-powered miniature electric motors for toys are well known in the art.

As seen in FIGS. 4-5, three separate buttons 24, 26 and 28 are appropriately mounted within the chassis 18 of the vehicle 10 for vertical movement. Attached to the chassis 18 is a panel 30 provided with spaced conductors 32 and 34 to which are attached electrical leads 36 and 38. A support designated by reference numeral 40 is secured by a bolt 42 for rotation with respect to panel 30 and is provided with spaced contacts 43 and 44. Finally, electrical leads 46 and 48 are secured to contacts 43 and 44, respectively, and the motor 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, buttons 26 and 28 are pro vided with flanges 50 and 52, respectively, while support 40 is provided with upstanding arms 54 and 56.

The operation of the switching mechanism for reversing the polarity of the motor 20 will now be described. As button 24 is depressed, the position of flanges 50 and 52 causes all three buttons 24, 26 and 28 to move downwardly at which time the ribs 58 and 60 contact the upstanding arms 54 and 56 in such manner that contacts 43 and 44 are precisely aligned between conductors 32 and 34 interrupting the electric circuit. As the button 26 is depressed, its rib 58 contacts the corresponding arm 54 causing the support 40 to rotate counterclockwise in turn causing contact 43 to engage conductor 34 while contact 44 engages conductor 32. In this manner, the motor 20 is driven in one direction.

As the button 24 is depressed, the support 40 is caused to rotate clockwise in such a manner that the electrical circuit is broken as previously described.

As button 28 is depressed, its rib 60 pushes downwardly against arm 56 causing the support 40 to rotate clockwise in turn causing contact 43 to engage conductor 32 while contact 44 engages conductor 34. In this manner, the motor 20 is run in the opposite direction.

The gear train will now be described. As seen in FIG. 6a, a pinion wheel 61 is mounted on the shaft of the miniature electric motor 20. As the button 28 is depressed pinion wheel 61 rotates counterclockwise in turn rotating gear 62 clockwise. Gear 62 is mounted on the shaft 64 which is further provided with a gear wheel 66 which is also rotated clockwise. Gear wheel 66 meshes with the gear wheel 68 which is mounted on the shaft 70 along with gear wheels 72 and 74 thus causing gear wheel 72 to rotate counterclockwise while meshing with gear wheel 76 causing same to rotate clockwise about the shaft 78.

The floating gear wheel illustrated in FIG. 6b comprises a shaft 92 secured at one end within a wall of the chassis 18 and terminates at the other end in a pinion head 94 provided with a shaft 96, which, as seen in FIG. 9, passes through a slot 98 within the walls of the chassis 18. A spring 100 biasses the pinion head 94.

The gear wheel 76 rotates clockwise about the shaft 78 engaging the pinion head 94 moving its shaft 96 to the left within the slot 98 as seen in FIG. 6b while causing same to rotate counterclockwise at which time the pinion head 94 engages the gear wheel 74 rotating same clockwise. It is noted that gear wheels 74 and 106 are mounted on shaft 70 independently of gear wheels 68 and 72 permitting gear wheels 74 and 106 to rotate in the opposite direction of gear wheels 68 and 72. The clockwise rotation of the gear wheel 74 causes the gear wheel 106 at the end of the shaft 104 to also turn clockwise which in turn rotates the gear wheel 108 counterclockwise. On the outer side of the gear wheel 108 and mounted on the shaft 64 is a pinion wheel 110 which meshes with and rotates the gear wheel 112 clockwise. The pinion wheel 102 is mounted adjacent the gear wheel 112 on shaft 78 and is thus turned clockwise in turn imparting counterclockwise movement to the gear wheel 84 which is mounted on the shaft 82.

Loosely fitted around the shaft 78 is a rack 80 while the shaft 82 is suitably supported within the chassis l8 and terminates at the end opposite the gear wheel 84 in a crank member 86 provided with a pin 88 which is loosely secured within a slot 90 located within the rack 80, as seen in FIG. 7.

The counterclockwise rotation of the gear wheel 84 causes the shaft 82 to rotate counterclockwise in turn rotating the pin 88 counterclockwise. The rotation of the pin 88 within the slot 90 of the rack 80 causes the rack 80 to rotate counterclockwise approximately 45 after which the rack rotates clockwise to assume its original position. This motion is repeated continuously. As will be apparent, the pin 88 and the slot 90 function as a cam mechanism for purposes of translating the counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 82 to sequential counterclockwise and clockwise rotation of the rack 80 through approximately 45 degrees.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the teeth of the rack 80 mesh with the teeth of the gear wheel 114 which, as illustrated in FIG. 10, is mounted on a shaft 116 suitably journaled within the walls of the chassis 18. The crane 12 is secured to the shaft 116 by the bolt 118 which, as seen in FIG. 11, passes through the slots 120 within the crane 12. The spring 122 resiliently biasses the bolt 118 toward the shaft 116. In this manner, it is possible for the child to rotate the crane 12 to any position independently of the gear train simply by forcing the bolt 118 against the action of the spring 122 from one of the notches 124 of the gear wheel 114 to another of the notches 124. The spring 122 normally rigidly secures the crane 12 in relation to the shaft 116 and the gear wheel 114 such that the aforementioned rotation of the rack 80 causes the gear wheel 114 to rotate in turn rotating the crane 12. As will now be apparent, the crane nected to the shaft 116 and the gear wheel 114 in the same manner.

The gear train also drives the rear wheels 126 of the toy vehicle as will now be described with respect to FIG. 8. As the button 26 is depressed pinion wheel 61 rotates clockwise in turn rotating gear wheel 62 and shaft 64 counterclockwise. Note that parts of gear wheel 62 and shaft 64 have been omitted in FIG. 8 for purposes of illustrating the position of floating gear 94. This causes the gear wheel 66 mounted on the shaft 64 to rotate counterclockwise. Gear wheel 66 meshes with and rotates the gear wheel 68 clockwise in turn rotating the adjacent gear 72 clockwise. The gear wheel 72 meshes with and rotates the gear wheel 76 counterclockwise. The counterclockwise rotation of the gear wheel 76 pushes the shaft 96 of floating gear 94 to the right within the slot 98 while causing the gear 94 to rotate clockwise at which time it meshes with the gear wheel 128 which is secured to the shaft 130 appropriately journaled within the chassis 18. Finally, the rotation of the shaft 130 rotates the wheels 126 powering the vehicle 10.

As will be further apparent from FIG. 10, in the embodiment of the toy vehicle invention which includes a crane l2 provision is made to manually raise and lower the hook 128 by rotating the shaft 116 around which the chain 131 is wound. Provision is also made to permit the crane 12 to further extend or unfold as it rotates. With regard to the dumping and mixing mechanisms of FIGS. 2 and 3, struts 132 being pivotably mounted within the vehicle body chassis 18 permit the dumping mechanism 14 and the mixer mechanism 16 to tilt downward to provide more realistic operation to amuse the child.

I claim: 1. A toy vehicle, comprising: a frame; a reversible motor and a source of energy mounted within said frame; wheels mounted for rotation with respect to said frame; a working mechanism mounted for movement with respect to said frame; a control panel mounted on said frame and provided with operating members; and means energizing said motor to run in one direction to rotate said wheels to propel said vehicle as one of said operating members is actuated and sequentially energizing said motor to run in the opposite direction to operate said working mechanism as another of said operating members is actuated. 2. A toy vehicle as in claim 1, wherein said working mechanism is a crane mechanism.

3. A toy .vehicle as in claim 1, wherein said working mechanism is a mixer mechanism.

4. A toy vehicle as in claim 1, wherein said working mechanism is a dumper mechanism.

5. A toy vehicle, comprising: a frame;

a reversible motor and a source of energy mounted a working mechanism mounted for movement with respect to said frame; a gear train operatively connecting said motor,

wheels and working mechanism; and

means energizing said 'motor to run in one direction to operate a first portion of said gear train to rotate said wheels to propel said vehicle, while said working mechanism is inoperative and to sequentially energize said motor to run in the opposite direction to operate a second portion of said gear train to operate said working mechanism while said wheels are inoperative.

6. A toy vehicle as in claim 5, wherein said means energizing said motor comprises an electrical circuit connecting said source of energy to said motor, switch means within said circuit for reversing the polarity of said motor and operating members for actuating said switch.

7. A toy vehicle as in claim 6, wherein said gear train includes a gear wheel and resilient means mounting said gear wheel for movement between a first position wherein said first portion of said gear train rotates said wheels and a second position wherein said second portion of said gear train operates said working mechanism and means moving said gear wheel to said first position as said motor runs in said one direction and to said second position as said motor runs in said opposite direction.

8. A toy vehicle as in claim 7, wherein said operating members are mounted on said frame. 

1. A toy vehicle, comprising: a frame; a reversible motor and a source of energy mounted within said frame; wheels mounted for rotation with respect to said frame; a working mechanism mounted for movement with respect to said frame; a control panel mounted on said frame and provided with operating members; and means energizing said motor to run in one direction to rotate said wheels to propel said vehicle as one of said operating members is actuated and sequentially energizing said motor to run in the opposite direction to operate said working mechanism as another of said operating members is actuated.
 2. A toy vehicle as in claim 1, wherein said working mechanism is a crane mechanism.
 3. A toy vehicle as in claim 1, wherein said working mechanism is a mixer mechanism.
 4. A toy vehicle as in claim 1, wherein said working mechanism is a dumper mechanism.
 5. A toy vehicle, comprising: a frame; a reversible motor and a source of energy mounted within said frame; wheels mounted for rotation with respect to said frame; a working mechanism mounted for movement with respect to said frame; a gear train operatively connecting said motor, wheels and working mechanism; and means energizing said motor to run in one direction to operate a first portion of said gear train to rotate said wheels to propel said vehicle while said working mechanism is inoperative and to sequentially energize said motor to run in the opposite direction to operate a second portion of said gear train to operate said working mechanism while said wheels are inoperative.
 6. A toy vehicle as in claim 5, wherein said means energizing said motor comprises an electrical circuit connecting said source of energy to said motor, switch means within said circuit for reversing the polarity of said motor and operating members for actuating said switch.
 7. A toy vehicle as in claim 6, wherein said gear train includes a gear wheel and resilient means mounting said gear wheel for movement between a first position wherein said first portion of said gear train rotates said wheels and a second position wherein said second portion of said gear train operates said working mechanism and means moving said gear wheel to said first position as said motor runs in said one direction and to said second position as said motor runs in said opposite direction.
 8. A toy vehicle as in claim 7, wherein said operating members are mounted on said frame. 